Obituary of Doris Riggan Allen

Doris Riggan Allen went to be with our Lord and Savior Tuesday, March 22, 2016. She was born February 24, 1931 in Birmingham, AL, and was the only child of Samuel and Grace Riggan. Doris was a loving and devoted wife to husband, Bill Allen for almost 65 years and mother of Melinda Carignan (Colonel, USAF, Retired) of Colorado Springs, CO and Jeff Allen (wife Julie) of Jenks, OK and grandmother to Taylor Allen (wife, Lauryn) of Orlando, FL and Rebecca Williams (husband, Matt) of Atlanta, GA. Doris dedicated her life to “creating a joyful noise to our Lord” through her gift of music. She earned her Masters of Church Music at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, a Bachelor’s of Music at the University of Alabama and graduated from Ensley High School in Birmingham, AL. Doris was Director of Music for over 42 years starting at the Protestant Service Church at Camp Stewart, then for the First Methodist Church in Hindsville, GA. When she and Bill moved to New Orleans she directed 4 choirs at St Matthew’s Methodist Church including a 75-member youth choir. When they relocated to Tulsa, she became the Music Director at Yale Avenue Presbyterian Church for 10 years followed by 8 years at Harvard Avenue Christian Church before she retired. After Doris and Bill joined First Presbyterian Church, she became the Moderator and Circle Leader of Presbyterian Women. Doris was proud to be an active volunteer in various organizations throughout her life including Helping Hand Ministry, Community Action Project, Children’s Day Nursery and the Red Cross. Doris was employed for 10 years for the First National Bank of Tulsa in Public Relations and in Commercial and Consumer lending as a Banking Officer. There she also directed the Christmas choir and talent show. A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 709 S Boston Ave, Tulsa, OK 11:00 AM Monday, April 4, 2016 with a reception lunch to follow at First Presbyterian’s Stephenson Hall. The family will have a private internment service. Doris requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either:The Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma, at 720 W. Wilshire Blvd, Suite 109, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 (http://parkinsonoklahoma.com/donate-now/) and/or Helping Hand Ministry, at 709 So Boston Ave, Tulsa, OK 74119 https://firstchurchtulsa.org/serve/local-missions/ note in memo: Helping Hand. Ninde Funeral & Cremation (918) 742-5556 ninde.com